Best of the South Shore 2017

The readers have spoken! Congratulations to all the winners of our 2017 Best of the South Shore reader survey. After poring through thousands of votes and tallying the totals, we’ve compiled a list of the latest and greatest businesses and services in the region. In addition, our Editors’ Picks spotlight a few unique categories. Join us as we celebrate the winners! —Maria Allen and Kelly Chase

Photography by Jack Foley, Kris Hughes and Kjeld Mahoney

EDITORS’ PICKS

Best Dockside Hangout

Nothing says summer on the South Shore quite like the deck at Erich’s Clam Shack at Roht Marine. Grab a seat at one of the wooden tables and take in the view of the North River and the green marshes beyond. The casual eatery serves fried plates and other seafood classics, which pair perfectly with the salty breeze. There are dishes for those who aren’t seafood lovers, such as Famous Mary’s Hot Dog, Gerard Farm turkey sandwiches, flatbreads and salads. While dining, boats glide by—heading up the river or to The Spit, a popular sandbar hangout at low tide. Boaters can dock for a meal or pull up for take out and an ice cream cone. The “Coolers to Go” have sandwiches and drinks over ice. If, after lunch, you’d like to explore the waterway yourself, Roht Marine offers half- and full-day boat rentals. But many choose to just hang out on deck, because even midweek, the full bar and reggae music can transport you to a brief vacation. On Wednesday nights, stop by for live, local music al fresco. If possible, time your visit with the sunset; watching the waters of the North River reflect the pink sky is a great way to end any day.

2205 Main St., Marshfield, 781-837-2322

By Jack Foley

Best Tacos

California Underground

Located directly across from Nantasket Beach in Hull, California Underground specializes in creating fresh, flavorful tacos, just the way you like them. Owners Eo and Ozzy Martin created a menu that offers several taco styles and a wide range of proteins and delicious toppings. Customers can choose from corn or flour tortillas (all soft) and whether they want their taco served Americano-style, topped with blended cheese, lettuce and tomato, or Eo’s-style, with pico de gallo, fresco, shredded slaw, avocado, shredded cheese and cilantro. You can also skip the tortilla altogether and get your taco in a bowl. Don’t forget to select a savory sauce and your preferred heat level. The bartenders at the restaurant’s sleek copper bar will mix you up a tasty margarita to wash down your meal. Close your eyes, take a bite and prepare to be transported.

257 Nantasket Ave., Hull , 781-925-8749

Best Farm-Fresh Eatery

Fresh is what comes to mind with a visit to Rosa Farms, a specialty food hall serving gourmet coffee, handcrafted smoothies, homemade pizzas and savory sandwiches made with 100-percent organic produce. At the juice bar, choose your own veggies and fruits out of the “Pick’n Press” basket for a fresh-pressed taste on demand. There’s cold brew and house kombucha on tap as well. If you’re looking to pack the perfect picnic, Rosa Farms has you covered; at the deli, sandwiches are a delicious and inventive combination of ingredients. Take the Green Monster, for instance, which folds together fresh mozzarella, arugula, artichokes, eggplant, zucchini, roasted red peppers, yellow squash and pesto for a healthy and hearty meal. All sandwiches come with a side of potato salad, pasta salad or coleslaw.

956 Washington St., Hanover, 781-924-1156

By Jack Foley

Best Place to Throw Punches

Inside this sun-filled exercise studio in Cohasset, trainers lead high-energy boxing workouts designed to promote fitness, not fighting. The group classes are 45 minutes long and incorporate shadow boxing, heavy bag work and bodyweight exercises. After warming up their muscles by jumping rope, participants pull on boxing gloves and line up behind a row of 14 red boxing bags that hang from the ceiling. Motivated by “Rocky”-themed Tabata music, the group goes through a series of 3-minute rounds that focus on technique that are followed by “burnout” speed rounds. In addition to working the core, boxing exercises are great for relieving stress. “It’s a whole-body workout,” says manager Carol Ann Murphy, who points out that the exercises are great for working the core and for relieving stress. “We let it all out on the bag.”

5 Stagecoach Way, Cohasset, 781-923-6119

Best Throwback Record Shop

Inclusion Records

By Jack Foley

Tucked beneath Technical Skateshop in Norwell, Inclusion Records is quite literally a hidden musical gem. With its walls spray-painted with colorful graffiti and album covers prominently displayed like artwork, the shop looks and feels like it’s been around for decades, but it’s actually relatively new. “I wanted the shop to look like the record stores that I went to when I was a kid,” says John Nichols, who owns the shop with his business partner Bobby Depesa. Since opening in 2015, Inclusion Records has developed a local following and occasionally hosts live music events and special vinyl promotions. Listed on the The Vinyl District app, serious music collectors will travel great distances on to purchase limited-release albums. Customers can peruse an assortment of new and vintage albums (they’ve even got a listening station set up in the corner), but they won’t find the music organized by genres–and that’s just the way Nichols and Depesa like it. “People sometimes look a little lost at first,” says Nichols, “but it encourages people to check out different kinds of music and they usually end up loving it.”

340 Washington St., Norwell , 781-659-8887

Best Irish Specialty Shop

O’Donovan’s of Plymouth

By Jack Foley

The shelves at O’Donovan’s of Plymouth are lined with rows of newsboy and scally caps, colorful scarves, woven bow ties and traditional Irish wool sweaters–the most popular items in the store. Despite being one of the biggest importers of Irish and Scottish clothing in New England, the shop manages to keep a low profile. Shoppers can expect to find high-quality Irish blankets, silver jewelry and Inis Irish fragrances. A few items are made in other countries, such as the kangaroo leather hats that come from Australia. Designed to be similar to the sort of store you might find in Ireland, the owners built a snug little bakery at the back of the shop that serves homemade Irish scones and fair trade nitro cold-brew coffee that foams just like Guinness.

30 Main St., Plymouth, 508-747-7717

Best Showstopper Cakes

The air smells sweet inside the Montilio’s Baking Company Brockton headquarters, where cake-making magic happens. Behind the retail cases stocked with cupcakes and other confections are production rooms bustling with skilled bakers and decorators hard at work on custom orders. Capable of fulfilling some 60-80 cake orders on a busy summer weekend, the team must be quick and precise. Frosting is applied to cakes as they spin atop turntables before delicate flowers and frosting patterns are piped on. Whether it’s an order of cute cupcakes or a stunning wedding cake, each order can be customized. The bakery is known for making magnificent and sometimes over-the-top occasion cakes (including President JFK’s wedding cake) but that’s not all they do. Several retail locations offer sandwiches, pizza and other tasty treats. The latest addition is the Montilio’s Mobile Wood Fired Pizza Oven & Food Truck, which brings the pizza, desserts and coffee directly to the consumer.

Braintree, Brockton, Quincy, Weymouth 508-894-8855

Best Reclaimed Woodwork

Since 2012, Over Again Company owner Scot Brine has been building and designing one-of-a-kind furniture pieces for homes on the South Shore and beyond. Brine, an artist and finish carpenter with a deep passion for historical preservation and fine craftsmanship, uses reclaimed wood for his creations. “Farmhouse style with a modern twist” is how Brine describes his work, which includes coffee tables, kitchen tables and islands and more. “I try to make pieces that are functional that also have a unique look to them,” says Brine. “Whether I’m mixing different materials, different types of wood or there are slight differences in the craftsmanship.” No factory here, all of the pieces are made one at a time—just Brine and his tools. While he doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location, interested customers can invite him into their homes where he’ll start sketching ideas for your next wooden work of art.

180 Main St., Kingston, 781-424-0566

Best All-day Breakfast

Will & Co. Café

By Maria Allen

We love restaurants where you can order breakfast at any time of the day. Such is the case at the newly opened Will & Co. Café in Plymouth. They have an inventive menu that is anything but boring. Why settle for ordinary bacon and eggs when you could have Night Man’s Nachos that consists of tortilla chips topped with scrambled eggs, melted cheese, bacon, tomato and jalapeno that is served with salsa and sour cream. Other breakfast favorites include the monster-sized Wildflower pancake served with the fixings of your choice, and a breakfast salad made with fresh baby spinach and topped with poached eggs, bacon and vegetables. They also have build-your-own breakfast sandwiches for those days when you’re on the run, and lunch, if you’re so inclined. Rumor has it that the restaurant may soon be serving a late night breakfast as well.

6b Court St., Plymouth, 774-773-9732

Reader Picks

DINING

Ambience
SolsticeKingston

Appetizers
Galley Kitchen & BarScituate

Bagels
Gunther TootiesHanover, Plymouth

Bakery
White’s BakeryHingham and Brockton

Bartenders
AVA CucinaCohasset

Beer Selection (Liquor Store)
Curtis LiquorsCohasset, Weymouth

Beer Selection (Restaurant or Pub)
New World TavernPlymouth

Breakfast
The Blueberry MuffinKingston, Plymouth

Burgers
KKatie’s Burger BarMarshfield, Plymouth, Quincy

Chef
Taylor Naples at TerraPlymouth

Chinese Restaurant
Tsang’sDuxbury, Hanover

Chowder
Schooner’s RestaurantHull

Cocktail Bar
The TastyPlymouth

Coffee Shop
Coffee Break CaféQuincy, Milton

Cupcake Shop
Cupcake Charlie’sPlymouth

Date Spot
The TastyPlymouth

Deli
D’Orazio’s Italian MarketplaceDuxbury

Dessert
French MemoriesCohasset, Duxbury

Doughnuts
The Coffee ShackMarshfield, Pembroke

Family Restaurant
Schooner’s RestaurantHull

Fish ‘n Chips
Polcari’s Bridgwaye InnMarshfield

Fried Clams
Wood’s SeafoodPlymouth

Hot Wings
Speedwell TavernPlymouth

Ice Cream
Nona’s HomemadeHingham, Scituate

Irish Pub
The Tinker’s SonNorwell

Italian Restaurant
TerraPlymouth

Juice Bar
Vela Juice BarPlymouth

Ladies Night Out
Rinato BistroHull

Late-night Hangout
Galley Kitchen & BarScituate

Lobster Roll
Green Harbor Lobster PoundMarshfield

Lunch Spot
Dillon’s LocalPlymouth

Margaritas
Trident Galley & Raw BarHingham

Martinis
Martini’s Bar & GrillPlymouth

Men’s Night Out
Hull’s KitchenHull

Mexican Restaurant
El SarapeBraintree

Outdoor Dining
East Bay GrillePlymouth

Pizza
Peel Pizza CompanyHingham and Duxbury

Raw Bar
The OystermanDuxbury

Barbecue
The RivershedScituate

Sandwich Shop
The PlateMilton

Scenic View While Dining
Polcari’s Bridgwaye InnMarshfield

Seafood Restaurant
Jake’s SeafoodHull

Soups
The PlateMilton

Sports Bar
Cask ‘n’ FlagonMarshfield

Steak
Stockholders SteakhouseWeymouth

Sunday Brunch
The Tinker’s SonNorwell

Sushi Restaurant
Sushi JoyPlymouth

Tapas
Hola RestaurantMarshfield

Thai Restaurant
Star of SiamPlymouth

Wait Staff
AVA CucinaCohasset

Wine List
ToscaHingham

Health and Beauty

Acupuncture
Mary Egan AcupunctureHanover

Chiropractor
Koenig Family ChiropracticPlymouth

Cosmetic Surgery Office
Coastal Plastic SurgeryHingham

Dance Studio
Shoestrings StudioHanover

Day Spa
Mirbeau Inn & SpaPlymouth

Eyebrow Shaping
Tryst StudioHingham

Eyelash Salon
The Lash BarNorwell

Facial
Alda AestheticsHanover

Fitness Center/Gym
A Healthy BalanceQuincy and Hanover

Golf Course (private)
Black Rock Country ClubHingham

Golf Course (public)
Widow’s WalkScituate

Hair Colorist
Charles David SalonHanover, Plymouth

Haircut (men)
Verde SalonBraintree

Haircut (women)
Charles David SalonHanover, Plymouth

Makeup Selection
SephoraHingham

Manicure
Luxy Nails BarPembroke

Martial Arts Studio
JunikoHanover

Massage
Bodywork Day SpaHull

Orthodontist
Dr. Mazzocco, Hanover OrthodonticsHanover

Pedicure
Michelle NailsDuxbury

Pilates Studio
Balance StudioCohasset

Wax
Spa-tique Day SpaMarshfield

Yoga Studio
Open DoorsMultiple Locations

Shops & Services

Art Gallery
Kjeld Mahoney PhotographyScituate

Beachwear
Bloom Lingerie & Swim BoutiqueCohasset

Bike Store
Cycle LodgePembroke

Bookstore
Westwinds BookshopDuxbury

Candy Store
Fedele’s ChocolatesPlymouth, Pembroke

Children’s Clothing
Olivia Rose Children’s BoutiqueMarshfield

Cleaning Services
The Clean TeamKingston

Concierge/Property Management
Eldredge Property ServicesDuxbury

Consignment Shop
Fiddleheads Fine Home ConsignmentCanton

Cookware Shop
Williams SonomaHingham

Daycare
Magic Dragon Preschool and Children’s CenterDuxbury

Doggy Daycare
Just Around the CornerPlymouth

Fish Market
Wood’s SeafoodPlymouth

Fitness Wear
LululemonHingham

Framer
Frame CenterHanover

Gift Shop
OropaDuxbury

Golf Store
Sandbaggers Golf Shop & RangePembroke

Gourmet Food Shop
Bloomy RindHingham

Jewelry Store
Toodie’s Fine JewelryQuincy

Lingerie
Bloom Lingerie & Swim BoutiqueCohasset

Marine Supplies
West MarineBraintree

Men’s Clothing
Pilgrim’s Progress ClothingPlymouth

Music Store
The Music BoxPlymouth

Nutrition Store
Healthy Appetites Natural FoodsPlymouth

Organic Grocer
Whole Foods MarketHingham

Outdoor Adventure
REIHingham

Pet Specialty Store
Maggie’s Dog HouseHingham

Prepared Meals-To-Go
Depot Street MarketDuxbury

Produce Selection
Fruit Center MarketplaceHingham

Real Estate Agency
Molisse Realty GroupMarshfield

Shopping Center
Derby Street ShoppesHingham

Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting GoodsHanover

Stationery Shop
Celebrations Etc.Duxbury

Travel Agency
Susan Peavey TravelMarshfield

Toy Store
Rock Paper ScissorsDuxbury

Wine Shop
Snug Harbor WineDuxbury

Women’s Clothing
kloTHHingham

Women’s Specialty Store
TalbotsHingham

Winter Gear
SportworksDuxbury

Appliance Store
George Washington TomaWeymouth, Brockton

Antique Shop
Something For Your DustPlymouth

Architect
Campbell Smith ArchitectsDuxbury

Builder
Bethoney BuildersDuxbury

Carpet/Flooring
The Rug MerchantRockland

Furniture Store
Boston InteriorsHanover

Garden Shop
Morrison’s Home & GardenPlymouth

Home Accessories
Hingham Furniture & DesignHingham

Interior Designer
Hingham Furniture & DesignHingham

Kitchen Accessories
Williams SonomaHingham

Kitchen Designer
RoomscapesRockland

Landscape Services
LindScapingScituate

Lighting Shop
Fleming’s of Cohasset VillageCohasset

Local Hardware Store
Nantasket Paint and HardwareHull

Outdoor Furnishings
Hingham Furniture & DesignHingham

Outdoor Grills
Hingham Lumber CompanyCohasset

Pool and Hot Tub Store
Aquaknot PoolsWeymouth

Tile Store
Snug Harbor TileNorwell

Weddings, Entertainment, & Accomodations

Bed & Breakfast/Inn
Winsor House InnDuxbury

Caterer
Kate’s TableHingham

Concert Venue
The SpirePlymouth

Florist
Consider the LiliesDuxbury

Hotel
Mirbeau Inn & SpaPlymouth

Invitations
Celebrations Etc.Duxbury

Limo Service
Pro LimoSouth Shore

Occasion Cakes
Veronica’s SweetcakesMarshfield

Place for Kids’ Parties
Fashion FocusPembroke

Local Radio Personality
John SheaWATD 95.9

Radio Station- AM
WBZ 1030Boston

Radio Station- FM
WATD 95.9Marshfield

Reception Venue (large)
The Barker TavernScituate

Reception Venue (intimate)
Duxbury Bay Maritime SchoolDuxbury

Resort
Mirbeau Inn & SpaPlymouth

Theater
Loring Hall CinemaHingham

Tux Shop
Domenic’s TuxPlymouth

Wedding Dress Shop
Maria’s of ItalyPlymouth

Voting for the 2017 Best of the South Shore will begin in January 2017.

South Shore LIVING

South Shore Living consists of in-depth reporting,
beautiful photography and a variety of other high-quality
features that engage readers who live in upscale South Shore towns or are just visiting and want to get the most out of their time in this exquisite corner of Massachusetts.